affect that occur whenever drug levels begin to fall in the body.
Early in the course of addiction, the individual learns to detect such
cues when they are nascent and to respond with drug selfadministration.
Typically, the preconscious detection of affective
cues biases response options and prompts drug-use routines.
Therefore, during ongoing drug administration, the individual may
be aware of wanting to take drugs and may be aware of the act of
drug self-administration, but he or she is typically unaware of the
motivational impetus. In sum, for the addicted individual with
ready access to drugs, the motivational processing routine leading
up to drug use tends to occur without awareness and occurs in the
service of the escape and avoidance of negative affect caused by
falling levels of the drug. See Figure 1.